Minister for Health and Medical Education, Choudhary Lal Singh on Fridaysaid that government was going tough against the doctors, who have been reported absent from their regular duties for a long time.“We are going tough against the doctors who are absent from their regular duties,” replying to a calling attention motion, filed by MLA Surankote, Choudhary Muhammad Akram, Lal Singh informed the house that there was a shortage of doctors and paramedics staff in SDH Surankote against sanctioned strength of 14 doctors. He said nine are posted including one from NHM In paramedical staff, out of 23 posts, 19 have been posted.
The minister said that the government is sending one Anesthetist to the place on priority.The Minister informed the house that every effort was being made to have vacant posts filled up by referring the vacancies to recruiting agencies.“As and when the selection list is received and DPCs conducted, the vacant posts shall be filled up accordingly,” he said.Criticizing the doctors who are reported to be absent from their regular duties, the Minister said that amid shortage of doctors in the state, the previous government has sent 329 doctors on deputation against 123 doctors. He also informed that 611 doctors have been gone to pursue registrar-ship, senior registrar-ship, among other academic arrangements